Mysticism and Authority: Historical Tensions

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson discusses Ibn ‘Arabi (1165–1240), an important Sufi poet and philosopher. Ibn ‘Arabi was described as the greatest master of the Way but has increasingly been seen as a controversial and heterodox figure by some within Islam. Professor Dickson explores the historical tensions between the mystic and the cleric, describes Sufi meditation methods and the struggle to realisation, and considers extra-Islamic influences on Sufism throughout history. Professor Dickson also reflects on Sufism’s interaction with American culture including the universalist new age movement, the failure of utopian models of worldwide religious harmony, and the retraditionalisation of religious orders such as the Inayatiyya. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep277-master-of-the-way-prof-william-rory-dickson-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Orthodox to heterodox 05:44 - Who was Ibn ‘Arabi? 06:49 - A spiritual prodigy 10:34 - Leaving Andalusia and arriving in Damascus 12:33 - The greatest master of the Way 14:57 - Mystic vs cleric 17:23 - Political executions of sufis 19:12 - The need to read the room 19:54 - Periods of tension and integration 21:37 - The influence of patronage 24:18 - The struggle for spiritual realisation 27:47 - The visions and practice of Ibn ‘Arabi 29:12 - Embodying the 99 names of God 32:11 - Sufi meditation on the names of God 35:36 - The state of dhikr 36:20 - Ascetic practices 37:53 - Extra-Islamic influences on Sufi practice, historical and modern 46:54 - God brings prophets to all people 49:09 - Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Lex Hixon, and the New Age 58:04 - History of the Inayatiyya order 01:03:00 - Reformulating Sufism for an American audience 01:05:13 - Retraditionalisation in Inayatiyya 01:06:43 - The failure of modernist universalism 01:09:48 - Death of optimism 01:11:28 - Postmodernism vs perennialism 01:12:24 - Does Ibn ‘Arabi offer a synthesis of modern and post-modern perspectives? 01:16:17 - Rumi and the controversy of Coleman Barks 
… Previous episode with Professor William Rory DIckson: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep272-mystical-path-of-sufism-professor-william-rory-dickson To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html - https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James